Sekka Ano’i, WWE Hall of Famer and father of Roman Reigns, died on Tuesday, his nephew Jahrose Ano’i announced. He was 79 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that I share with you the news of the passing of former Hall of Famer, Bolivao Liati Sika Anoye,” JAHROUS It was posted on Instagram on Tuesday. “He passed away peacefully on June 25. Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.”
Part of the legendary Anoa’i family and known professionally as Sika, Anoa’i rose to prominence in the late 1970s with his brother Afa to form the tag team The Wild Samoans. Ava was trained by his uncle Peter Maivia and cousin Rocky Johnson, who then trained his brother.
The duo arrived in WWE, then known as the World Wrestling Federation, in 1979 and became a dominant force on the scene. They won their first World Tag Team Championship in April 1980 and after their reign lasted four months, they won the title again in September. The duo left the company that same year but returned in 1983 and won the World Tag Team Championship for the third time.
Sika Anoi also competed in the 1988 WrestleMania IV battle royal. He retired from competition in the late 1980s, but became a trainer and continued to influence the profession for decades, training stars such as Yokozuna, Rikishi, and Batista.
“The Wild Samoans’ influence in the ring as wrestlers was tremendous, and they have continued to make a significant impact on the world of wrestling since their in-ring adventures ended.” WWE said. “They no longer have the unorthodox behavior that made them so dangerous in the 1970s, but they have over 30 years of wrestling knowledge to share with their students at the Wild Samoan Training Center.”
Anwi was the father of two sons, Matthew and Joe, who continued to wrestle. Matthew performed under the name Rousey and spent some time with WWE early in his career before his death in 2017. Joseph is better known as Roman Reigns, who has been a dominant force in WWE since his debut in 2012. Reigns was the undisputed WWE Universal Champion for 1316 Once. Days until he lost the title at WrestleMania 40.
The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007. Anoa’i last appeared in WWE in 2020, when he joined his brother to celebrate Reigns’ victory at Hell in a Cell.
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